Chapter 959: The Young Cop

Arriving near the school, Tao Yueyue said, “Uncle Chen, I’ll head back to the dorm first.”

Chen Shi pointed to a spicy hot pot restaurant, “Go quickly and come back. I’ll start asking around here.”

Tao Yueyue ran back to the dorm, rummaged through her locker, and put on her police academy-issued uniform. She adjusted her collar in front of the mirror; the only difference between the trainee uniform and the official one was the epaulettes.

Wearing the uniform outside of official events for the first time, Tao Yueyue felt a bit shy, worried the dorm supervisor might see her on the way down.

Humming a tune, she walked out of the campus but froze in her tracks. A man in black, wearing a round hat and looking identical to the one who pushed her, was standing by a lamppost. They locked eyes for a moment, and the man grinned before getting into a van.

Tao Yueyue chased after the van, memorizing its license plate, then rushed to find Chen Shi.

Chen Shi was standing outside a shop, talking to a man. It was Tao Yueyue’s instructor. Seeing her approach, the instructor smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll leave you to it.”

“Uncle Chen, the suspect just appeared! I got his license plate number!” Tao Yueyue exclaimed eagerly.

“Where did you see him?”

“Over there!” She pointed in a direction and recited the plate number.

Chen Shi texted the details to the bureau for checking and then asked, “Why are you wearing your uniform?”

“I want to help with the investigation, so why not do it as a cop?”

“That’s a trainee uniform.”

“It’s all the same. People can’t tell the difference. Uncle Chen, let me be part of this case. It could count towards my internship.”

“But you have classes tomorrow.”

“Get me a leave, please!” Tao Yueyue pleaded with a grin. “Practical experience is more important than book knowledge.”

Hearing the word “leave,” Chen Shi’s face darkened. “Do you know what your instructor just told me?”

“Something nice about me?”

“You little brat, your teachers say you hardly attend classes. And now you have the nerve to ask for leave!”

Tao Yueyue shrugged, “The teachers talk too slow and go off-topic. It’s inefficient. I’ve already finished reading the books myself, and I’m still top of the class in exams even without attending lectures.”

“Classes are not just about learning knowledge. The police academy teaches you discipline and principles. If you can’t follow the academy’s rules, how can you follow them as a police officer?”

Tao Yueyue pouted, “I get it in my head. Besides, aren’t you a unique cop too? I’m just following your example.”

Chen Shi didn’t know how to respond. Exasperated, he said, “Do I act like you? How many times have I told you, don’t be arrogant just because you’re smart. Pride leads to isolation!”

“I bet you weren’t a good student either! You used to play crime simulation games during school. What right do you have to lecture me?”

Tao Yueyue turned and walked away. Chen Shi called out, “Where are you going?”

“To investigate!”

After asking around the nearby shops, they returned to the car. Chen Shi’s anger had subsided. “You can investigate with me.”

“Conditions?”

“Attend classes properly.”

“Can I sleep, read novels, or play games during class?”

Chen Shi sighed. Tao Yueyue continued, “I don’t skip class to play. Most of the time, I’m in the library reading about criminal psychology. Honestly, do you think the theories and concepts taught in class are useful?”

Chen Shi spoke earnestly, “I wasn’t a good student either. I skipped classes, fought, smoked, and felt out of place. I deeply regret it now and wish I could start over.”

“If someone told you this back then, would you have listened?”

“You’re trying to drive me crazy!”

“Alright, alright. I promise to skip only three classes a week.”

“Promise my foot! Is that what I said?”

“You want me to comply entirely because I’m a kid and should be obedient? Are you saying the police legend’s protégé should be a soulless, obedient kid?”

“Fine, whatever!” Chen Shi sighed in defeat. “Remember, don’t become a misfit in the team. The coolest cop is often the worst cop.”

Tao Yueyue saluted, “Yes, sir!”

“Call me Captain!” Chen Shi corrected her.

Chen Shi’s phone rang. He handed it to Tao Yueyue to check. She opened it and said, “They found the car. The owner is Gao Bin.”

“Look at the photo. Is it him?”

“Not sure. I’d need to see him in person to confirm.”

“Give me the address. We’ll go now.”

They arrived at an apartment complex. Many residents glanced at Tao Yueyue, who strutted confidently in her uniform, feeling good about herself. To Chen Shi, she looked like a kid playing dress-up.

He had even considered whether her development was delayed and if she might need some growth-stimulating medication.

“Yueyue, exercise more at the academy. Girls need a bit of build to look good in uniform,” Chen Shi said.

“Did Sister Lin get her 36D from exercise?”

“When she was your age, she ran a city marathon.”

“Did she finish?”

“Of course, she did.”

“So, no top finish, right? You adults always highlight your past glories.”

Chen Shi chuckled despite himself. “Do I need to say you’re too skinny and look like a child?”

Tao Yueyue pouted, “Starting tomorrow, I’ll eat a papaya every day.”

“That won’t help. Exercise! Low-intensity, high-frequency workouts to build a balanced physique. Long-term exercise stimulates bone growth. I worry you’ll look too young to be taken seriously as a cop.”

Tao Yueyue giggled, “Buy me some dumbbells! Did you bring your gun?”

“Yes.”

“Let me wear it!”

“Not a chance!”

At the apartment, Chen Shi knocked on the door. A man in shorts and a tank top, yawning, answered. “What do you want?”

“We’re police. Are you Gao Bin? What’s your car?”

“A white Volkswagen. Why?”

Tao Yueyue whispered, “Not him!”

“We’re investigating a suspect’s car that might have cloned your plates. Where were you this morning?”

“Sleeping at home. You can check; the bed’s still warm.”

“Okay, thanks for your time.”

Downstairs, Tao Yueyue said, “A cloned plate! What a waste of time.”

“Let’s honestly check the traffic surveillance.”

“Uncle Chen, I have an idea. When Zhou Xiao kidnapped me, I went to a shady car dealership. They specialize in fake plates. Should we try our luck there?”